I'm in a tough spot. My aunt bought our family house from my grandparents but put my uncle's name on the lease instead of hers. Two years ago, we discovered he was cheating and left us for good. Now, our old furnace, which is over 20 years old, has stopped working, and after nearly three years of saving, we still can't afford to replace it. We found out about HEAP, a furnace program, but it requires home ownership. We've tried getting my uncle to cooperate, but he threatened to sell the house instead. I'm really at a loss here and could use any advice on how to handle this situation. By the way, we're a family of five: my aunt, my brother, my little sister, me, and my grandma. The estimated cost for a new furnace is around $4,000.
3 Answers
I think your aunt should seriously consider getting legal advice. Since your uncle's name is still on the deed, he can technically decide to sell the house whenever he wants. It might be worth finalizing the divorce paperwork and getting his name off the deed, but I understand it could create financial strain for your aunt. It’s a tricky situation for sure!
What state are you in? If you've been saving for years, it's worth exploring local resources or assistance programs. Check your city’s website for help or reach out to some local charities. If all else fails, crowdfunding on platforms like GoFundMe could be a last resort to gather funds.
Have you checked if any HVAC companies offer financing options? That could spread out the cost and make it more manageable. Also, it’s a good idea to get quotes from multiple contractors to ensure you don’t overspend. After 20 years, a replacement is pretty much expected!
Yeah, they are already divorced, but now he’s remarried. If we can get his name off the deed, she’ll need to cover the costs herself, which isn’t possible right now.